Green Bay Packers running back James Starks averaged 6.8 carries per game and 5.5 yards a carry in 2013. Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media

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The Green Bay Packers made it official and announced the re-signing of running back James Starks on Wednesday.

Starks was an unrestricted free agent, and news of him returning to the Packers was reported Monday night. ESPN said his contract was for two years, though no details were available.

The move means the Packers return their top backup for Eddie Lacy and the one-two punch that helped them rank No. 7 in the NFL in rushing this season. Though Starks has had major durability issues in his four years in the NFL – he's missed 29 of a possible 64 games because of injuries – he played well last season in a more limited role as Lacy's backup.

Starks played in 13 games, and he averaged 6.8 carries per game and 5.5 yards a carry. He missed three games because of a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his knee.

Behind Lacy and Starks, the Packers have DuJuan Harris, who was expected to play a significant role last year before a patellar-tendon injury landed him on injured reserve in training camp; Johnathan Franklin, who ended his rookie season on injured reserve because of a neck injury; Michael Hill, who played in six games for Tampa Bay last season; and Orwin Smith, who finished last season on the Packers' practice squad.